Tip for getting tickets for 2013

[phil]

It's too late to try this for 2012, but if you get lucky enough to gain admission to Burning Man this coming year, volunteer for enough shifts to get a free ticket for the following year. My personal preference is working for Exodus to help ease the congestion, but you need to work several shifts to earn your free ticket -- I've forgotten how many, but someone will know and post the number of shifts required.

Those who worked enough shifts for free tickets in 2011 will get them without having to go through the lottery.

[trilobyte]

I completely disagree on this one. Personally, I think if you're volunteering solely for the purpose or expectation of getting a ticket, you're doing it wrong. You're probably also setting yourself up for disappointment if/when you put in what you feel should be enough work to warrant a ticket only to find that you didn't get one.

Volunteer because you want to help. Put in the time because you love the work. Anything that happens after that is truly a gift.

[unjonharley]

phill tho not very good lookingis seldom wrong

[phil]

etting yourself up for disappointment if/when you put in what you feel should be enough work to warrant a ticket only to find that you didn't get one.

I believe there is a clear rule on how many shifts you have to work to earn that free ticket.

I think if you're volunteering solely for the purpose or expectation of getting a ticket, you're doing it wrong.

Well, I'd wonder, then, why the offer of free tickets for volunteers? I understand the concept that one should volunteer because one is pure and it's purely the right thing to do. On the other hand, it's very hard to get volunteers in the real world, which is so, so unpure.

So if anyone wants to volunteer solely for the free tickets, shame on you. Shame. And here's BMOrg's page on how to volunteer:
http://www.burningman.com/participate/volunteer_faq.html

and unjon: you're batting .500 on that comment. :->

[Bay Bridge Sue]

Getting staff-priced or free tix depends on who you work for out there... each department has their own criteria.

[trilobyte]

From that same page, Phil, here's what is says on the subject of free tickets.

Q: Do I get a free ticket if I volunteer?
A: That's perhaps the most common question. Here is the scoop: receiving a ticket in exchange for volunteering is incredibly rare. If it does occur it usually applies to people who work with-in the organization year-round as volunteers and are highly accountable. These are not roles that are easy to jump into. Generally a person will volunteer with a group for a while, sometimes years. Then they become a team leader or more involved. Ticket sales are Burning Man's primary source of revenue. There is no corporate sponsorship of the event. Ticket sale dollars help pay for fixed costs of putting on the event, including port-a-potties, emergency services, land-use permit fees, and building materials. It is best not to expect a free ticket for any volunteer work you do. Ask around, most people feel that volunteering only brings you closer to the Burning Man community, it enhances your experience there, and that alone is enough of a reward.

[ygmir]

and, also consider, there are or would be, a finite number of volunteers needed/wanted.
I could see any given dept. turning folks away, once they get as many as they want.
And, most don't give you the ticket, the year you volunteer.....it's for the following.
So, like Phil says, if you volunteer, and meet the requirements in 2012, you would get a ticket in 2013.
There are a few exceptions to this.
Phil and Louise, remind me of Franky and Annette.............

[Eric]

and some of us are just morally opposed to volunteering for a company that makes money.


oh wait.... drats... Guess I can't use that anymore...

[phil]

> and that alone is enough of a reward.

hahahaHAHAHAHHAHAhahah. sigh. Are they still having to pay for flaggers to get enough volunteers? I recommend that the pure of heart volunteer to flag and forgo the money.

I'm confident that many people volunteer to do good. Louise and I volunteer because I can't stand Exodus and wanted to do something to make it go better instead of just whining about it. Fortunately, Louise agreed to volunteer with me.

I must make it clear that the volunteers we've worked with (with one exception) have been completely over-the-top GREAT. I _love_ working with the people I work with. If you like working with totally insane hard workers, pleasepleaseplease volunteer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFeyf3NwHPc#t=47s

[Nipple]

> and that alone is enough of a reward.

hahahaHAHAHAHHAHAhahah. sigh. Are they still having to pay for flaggers to get enough volunteers? I recommend that the pure of heart volunteer to flag and forgo the money.

I was just looking this morning on how to get my NDOT flagger card remotely. As it is, I'll probably have to go do the 4 hour seminar one of the weeks I'm in Reno.

(Probably on my January trip!)

It's not a pure of heart thing. My understanding is that they do classes on-playa...but...fuck that noise. If I can get it before-hand that's 4 more playa-hours. Worth MUCH more to me than $55 and 4 work week-hours.

[knowmad]

Yes, But can I work my shift with Laughing Tree?

[lemur]

"im not workin this hard for fun.. of course i get paid"

[Nipple]

Yes, But can I work manifest my shift with Laughing Tree?

Fixed!

[ygmir]

> and that alone is enough of a reward.

hahahaHAHAHAHHAHAhahah. sigh. Are they still having to pay for flaggers to get enough volunteers? I recommend that the pure of heart volunteer to flag and forgo the money.

I'm confident that many people volunteer to do good. Louise and I volunteer because I can't stand Exodus and wanted to do something to make it go better instead of just whining about it. Fortunately, Louise agreed to volunteer with me.

I must make it clear that the volunteers we've worked with (with one exception) have been completely over-the-top GREAT. I _love_ working with the people I work with. If you like working with totally insane hard workers, pleasepleaseplease volunteer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFeyf3NwHPc#t=47s

*tucks tail between legs and skitters off to the shadows*

[phil]

> My understanding is that they do classes on-playa...but...fuck that noise.

That's what Louise and I did. No way we're going to waste hours of playa time in a course. Our instructor was good, we had lots of video and slides, and we actually learned a great deal.

On another note:
> *tucks tail between legs and skitters off to the shadows*

:-> Nope, it's wonderful working with you, ygmir.

[ygmir]

awe thanks Phil...........I wer afeared I'da dun sumpin dumm agin.

[phil]

Getting staff-priced or free tix depends on who you work for out there... each department has their own criteria.

Oh, that reminds me. In addition to free tickets, you could earn a 'staff-priced' ticket. This means you actually get to buy a ticket without having to go through the lottery. I don't know what the discount is, nor whether it varies, but the key is getting a ticket for 2013. If you volunteer enough shifts for certain departments, you may earn the right to buy a ticket without having to hit the lottery.

I don't keep up with all the rules, so those that are interested can practice radical self-reliance and read the BM web site for details.